Los Paris 2024 Olympic Games witnessed one of the best games in FIBA basketball history with the semi-final between the United States and Serbia. The American team, led by Stephen Curry, managed to come back and reach the final for the gold medal. Taking advantage of this, Carmelo Anthony He wanted to make what is for him the best quintet in the history of the Team USAand has left out Michael Jordan.
In a recent interview with BasketNews, the former NBA player and Team USA legend revealed his all-time All-Star quintet. Anthony’s lineup includes himself, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and Charles Barkley.
Each of these players has left an indelible mark on basketball history, both in the NBA and in international competitions. However, Jordan’s exclusion has raised eyebrows and generated debate in the sports community.
Anthony, who has won three Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012, 2016) and one bronze (2004), justified his selection by arguing that his focus was more on those players who have had a distinguished career in FIBA competitions, not just in the Olympics. “Michael Jordan would be that guy.” [quinto jugador]”But for the United States I would put Barkley,” Anthony explained.
The reason for Michael Jordan’s exclusion
“What he [Jordan] “If Jordan did what he did with the ’92 team, that would never be done again,” Anthony acknowledged, referring to the Barcelona Dream Team, considered by many to be the greatest basketball team ever assembled. But, according to Anthony, the fact that Jordan only played in one edition of the Olympics under the current rules was enough to tip the scales in favor of Barkley, who was also part of that legendary team, but who, in Anthony’s opinion, had greater relevance in the context of FIBA basketball.
